Jim Ross talks WWE ID.
On October 29, WWE announced the launch of WWE ID, a new developmental program that will help independent wrestlers create a path to WWE. As a part of the program, WWE is partnering with various schools around the country and giving a designation to special prospects on the independent scene.
The program has been met with a mixed response, as some fans believe this will ultimately hurt the independent scene. Other fans seem to believe that WWE ID is a net positive for the company.
On the latest edition of Grilling JR, Jim Ross was asked if a program like this had ever been discussed within WWE before.
“Yes, and I think it’s about time. Vince was never very motivated to invest time and money in supporting the indies. It was just — I remember the conversation we had. It was simply, ‘Well Vince, where do you think we got all these other guys?’ We had some college guys as you know, but we had a lot of diversity. You get diversity via selection. It’s just a crazy deal, you want different personalities, you want different body types, you want different ethnicities.”
Ross went on to say that independent talent shouldn't sign anything that prohibits them from wrestling for another company, as that could eliminate any possible leverage.
“Well, you’re not really eliminating it because if you don’t sign a contract and you got a maybe a letter of agreement or something casual, I can see that being a good recruiting tool because then guys build their confidence, they build their self esteem, they got a WWE deal in the works. They’d be stupid to sign a contract that prohibits them from wrestling for another company. Don’t do that, that don’t make any sense. But having that WWE offer or agreement, that’s good for those guys. It’s good for the talent.”
Learn more about the launch of WWE ID by clicking here.
If you missed anything from the November 6 edition of AEW Dynamite, catch up on the show by clicking here.
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